Device For Beverage Cans, Comprising A Cover And Hole

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for beverage cans, which comprises a cover and a hole and which is applied to the liquid outlet. The inventive device comprises two parts ( 1  and  2 ) which are interconnected to form an assembly and which are positioned on top of one another. The lower part or base ( 1 ), which is fixed, takes the form of a ring with a central cavity ( 7 ), the position of which corresponds to the hole in the container, and a transverse protective bar ( 17 ). The upper part or cover ( 2 ), which has a precise shape and dimensions, is mobile and can move and change position, serving directly as a lid. The aforementioned two parts are preferably joined using a hinged or articulated ( 9 ) system of slide guides. In addition, the base comprises a front projection or lip protector ( 16 ). The lower face of the cover ( 2 ) is equipped with a central structure ( 18 ) which is coupled to, and fitted in the central cavity in the base, thereby forming the closure system of the device.

In accordance with the title of this specification, the invention relates to a device for beverage cans, comprising a cover and hole which, due to its design, configuration and evident usefulness, considerably improves the state of the art existing in this field, providing a viable solution with easy industrial application for sealing or blocking the liquid outlet in beverage cans while at the same time forming a hole or nozzle so as to make it easier for the user to absorb the beverage.

Despite their obvious advantages as beverage containers, especially due to their low cost and how easy they are to transport and store, aluminum cans have serious drawbacks in relation to two specific aspects. First, once the container is open, it is impossible to close the liquid outlet opening, which forces the consumer to drink the entire content of the can immediately if the beverage is to be consumed in perfect conditions. This permanent opening further involves a very high risk of the accidental spilling of the liquid and the possibility that any type of dirt, insect or other object may enter the container. Secondly, due to its transport and storage conditions in factories, distributors and points of sale, the container can be seriously affected by dirt of any type, dust, microbes and bacteria, etc. This dirt is deposited on the entire surface of the can and can be particularly evident in its upper part, right where the liquid outlet opening is located, which means that this same liquid is mixed with the dirt and the consumer ends up consuming both of them whether he or she drinks directly from the can or if he or she drinks from a glass.

There are a number of patents that have developed systems for providing a closure means for this type of containers or a hole for aiding in the liquid outlet. For example, European patent 2193761 relates to a “Snap-on Cover for Cans Containing Beverages”. In this case the upper part of the can is protected against contamination by means of a lightweight cover with virtually no volume, and with a side handle for easier handling. Patent 200002503 relates to a “Beverage can lid” which is formed by three parts: a rigid plastic ring, a flexible intermediate plastic part provided with a threaded neck and a cover coupled by means of screwing onto the neck of the intermediate part. Another invention patent providing a solution is patent number P200001943, relating to a “Can cover”, made up of one part with a die-cast discontinuous line which allows it to be separated into two other parts at the time it is opened.

A similar system is the one presented in utility model U 200401678, relating to a “Hygienic protector for beverage cans” and consisting of a self-adhesive film covering the upper part of the can. For its part utility model U 200401137 develops a “Cover for beverage cans” which is formed by two superimposed bodies, one having a greater diameter than the other one and which can incorporate advertising and/or game elements. Utility model U 200301505 relating to a “Cover for beverage cans” also provides a solution carried out in a circular part which adapts to the upper part of the can and has a perimetral flap surrounding the upper part of the can and internally having at mid-height a rib which is located under the upper thickening of the can once the cover is placed on the container, preventing the accidental separation of the assembly.

Utility model 200202591 relates to a “Preserving cover applied to the opening of beverage or liquid containers or cans ” which is formed by an oval-shaped body made of a flexible plastic, in the upper part of which there is a cavity and on one of its sides it has a small handle with an undetermined shape which can be an advertising support. Utility model U 200003092 relates to a “Hygienic opening for beverage cans”, comprising a ring which, when pulled on, allows the cylindrical part, which is folded over itself, to unwind along its entire length, forming a nozzle. Another system for covering cans is the system described in utility model U 200001968, relating to a “Cover for beverage cans” which is carried out in a collapsible flap pressure-coupled onto the opening of the upper part of the can.

It is therefore obvious that a number of ideas have been analyzed for the purpose of protecting beverage cans and for providing a comfortable and safe way to drink the liquid, but they generally only solve one part of the drawbacks relating to cans and mentioned above. The reality is that the solutions provided, many of which are similar in their approaches, have not been developed at the industrial or commercial level.

The object of this utility model has substantially different features in relation to the background documents mentioned since it starts from a broader concept that allows conjugating and joining in a single element the closure, and therefore the blocking of the outlet opening for the liquid contained in the can, the shape of a hole or mouthpiece for drinking the mentioned liquid, preventing this liquid from being in direct contact with the surface of the can and the possibility of acting as an advertising support.

This utility model is basically configured by two parts which are interconnected to form an assembly, one of which is positioned at a lower level and the other is positioned at an upper level, i.e. they are positioned on top of one another. The first part of the assembly, the lower part, is a part forming and delimiting the perimeter or contour of the assembly because it is directly coupled to the liquid outlet existing in the can and which in turn has a central opening corresponding to said outlet. The second part of the assembly is a laminar body having the precise shape and dimensions to be coupled to the first part and serving as a lid, covering the central opening of such part and therefore closing the liquid outlet.

Both parts are interconnected by means of a joining system allowing the lower part to be fixed in its position and coupled to the liquid outlet, serving as a hole, whereas the upper part has enough mobility to allow its movement from a closing position to an opening position of the liquid outlet and vice versa, serving directly as a lid.

The two parts are preferably joined using a hinged or articulated system or a system of slide guides, although other joining means allowing the same purpose are not discarded.

The lower part is a laminar body made of plastic or any other material allowing it, with a general prismatic configuration and with the necessary thickness, with a shape similar to a ring, i.e. with a perimetral edge and a cavity in its center, having the necessary dimensions to be perfectly coupled, by means of pressure to the liquid outlet thanks to a peripheral recess made in its inner face which allows it to be perfectly coupled and fitted to said outlet, maintaining an anatomical shape allowing it to be perfectly fitted in the space comprised between the pull-tab of the can and the rim thereof. This part thus has a slight protuberance at the front part which is supported in the rim of the can and in which the user supports his or her lips in order to drink. At the opposite end, this part has a slight curvature following the approximate profile of the pull-tab of the can.

The upper part has dimensions that are slightly larger than those of the lower part or ring given that its function is to completely cover the hole of the can exposed by the lower ring, serving as a cover.

Both parts—lower ring and upper cover—can be independent parts or form a single and inseparable body, being joined to one another by means of a hinged or articulated system which can be located at any point of the perimeter of the assembly. Thus, for example, this hinge or articulation can be located in the area close to the edge of the can, i.e., in the part of the ring supported on the edge of the can, such that the upper part or cover, upon moving, is supported in a vertical and inverted position on the side of this same can. On the other hand, if the hinge or articulation is located at the opposite end of the ring, i.e. at the part close to the pull-tab of the can, the cover, upon being lifted, moves towards the pull-tab and is in a horizontal plane above it, without hindering the user at any time. The joining articulation or hinge between the ring and the cover can also be located at the side area of the assembly, in this case the cover being opened towards the corresponding side and being partially or completely supported on the can. In any case, the upper part or cover has on its lower face a recess with the same shape and diameter as the ring, allowing it to be coupled by means of pressure to said ring. The cover also has a projection by way of a tab to facilitate holding it and opening and closing it.

When the two parts of this innovation—cover and ring—are joined by means of a slide guide system, the ring basically maintains the same configuration, but at its upper part and in a position close to the curved end near the pull-tab it incorporates protuberances acting as a stop and a guide point for the movement of the upper part or cover.

The inner face of this upper part or cover has channels acting as guides allowing a forward and backwards movement of the cover itself, which moves covering and uncovering the liquid outlet. This backward movement is blocked by the action of the stops of the upper face of the ring.

The forward and backward movement of the cover can be carried out indistinctly in either direction, always keeping the described stops at the final end of the run. The cover can thus move towards the opposite end of the can, moving on the upper part thereof and being supported thereon in what would be the most logical and functional movement, but it can also move in the opposite direction, such that the cover swings on the edge of the can and is in a vertical position supported on the side thereof.

The description carried out up to this point always relates to two parts located in different planes, a lower plane and an upper plane, i.e. a ring pressure-coupled to the liquid outlet and a cover coupled to the ring. However, it is technically also possible to place both parts of the assembly at the same level or plane, such that the mobile part or cover fits in the central cavity of the part or ring coupled to the hole of the can. In this case, the movement of this mobile part or cover cannot be by means of hinge or articulation or by means of slide guides but rather it simply carries out a vertical movement, passing from a horizontal position to a vertical position, such that it is at a right angle with respect to another part. In this case, the cover has two side flanges or wings forming a hole or nozzle for drinking together with the horizontal base of the cover, which is now in a vertical position.

When the cover passes from the vertical position to the original horizontal position, and is therefore closed and is in the same horizontal plane as the base ring, these side flanges or wings are inserted inside the can through the same liquid outlet.

This same innovation can occur by means of combining some of the features described up until now such that the configuration of the device provides greater ease in use. In this sense, when the upper part and the lower part are joined using a hinge or a similar articulation system, and the upper part moves towards the ring of the can, the lower part has a front projection by way of a perpendicular flap serving as a lip protector and configuring the actual hole.

It is also foreseen that the central opening of the lower part, corresponding to the liquid outlet opening of the can, incorporates a transverse protective bar with reduced dimensions but which is enough to block any foreign body which may pass through said opening and harm the user. This could be the case, for example, of the metal tab of the can which, previously die-cast, moves towards the inside thereof when the can is opened and can be accidentally broken.

The claimed device is fitted in the liquid outlet opening of the can both in the presence and the absence of the outer ring, the use of the device being therefore independent of said ring. In fact, whichever the angle with which the device approaches the can, the fitting is always correct and precise. The only difference involved with the presence of the ring is that, in this case, the approach is carried out with a slight oblique angle whereas without the ring, this approach can be carried out by means of a vertical fitting.

For the purpose of ensuring a better tightness, the device can incorporate an O-ring seal or element with similar features which, located between the upper part or cover and the lower part or base of the device, allows adjusting the contact between both parts and ensuring a more precise closure of the claimed device.

It is finally important to indicate that the difference in elevation existing between the lip protector or front flap and the inner part of the device enables an additional margin which could allow fitting the part to different opening amplitudes of the cans, i.e. a single device adaptable to different openings.

As regards the outer features of the device, it is important to emphasize that it can incorporate distinctive and distinguishing magnetized, adhesive, screen-printed and/or embossed elements which can be used for promotional purposes or as collectable elements and can also incorporate fluorescent ink, embossed marks or other signs for making it easier for the blind to recognize the product.

The claimed device is logically always applied to the liquid outlet of the can once the metal segment has been detached, which segment is already die-cast and provided with the corresponding ring which precisely allows breaking and separating this segment from the rest of the can, leaving said outlet free but the existence of the ring of the can being unnecessary for being able to incorporate the device.

Several sheets of drawings are attached for the purpose of making the innovation claimed herein easier to understand, which drawings must be analyzed and considered only by way of example and without any limiting or restrictive character.

FIG. 1 shows a view of the claimed device.

FIG. 2 shows a view of the lower part or ring coupled to the hole of the can with a joining system by means of slide guides.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the lower part of the cover with a joining system by means of slide guides.

FIG. 4 shows an upper view of the ring and cover assembly with slide guides.

FIG. 5 shows a view of the lower part of the ring and cover assembly with slide guides.

FIG. 6 shows a view of the device with slide guides placed in a can.

FIG. 7 shows a side cut-away view of the device with slide guides placed in a can.

FIG. 8 shows a view of the claimed device with a hinged joining, with a detail of the upper face of the ring and of the lower face of the cover.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of the ring and hinged cover assembly, in an open position.

FIG. 10 shows a view of the claimed device with a hinged or articulated joining, with a detail of the upper face of the cover and of the lower face of the ring.

FIG. 11 shows a side view of the closed ring and cover assembly with a hinge.

FIG. 12 shows a view of the ring and cover assembly with a hinge or articulated system, closed, and positioned on the hole of the can.

FIG. 13 shows a view of the ring and cover assembly with a hinge or articulated system, opened, and positioned on the hole of the can, with a detail of the cover supported on the side of the can.

FIG. 14 shows a view of the ring and cover assembly with a hinge or articulated system, opened, and positioned on the hole of the can, with a detail of the cover supported on the upper part of the can.

FIG. 15 shows a detailed view of the claimed device with side flanges, in a closed position.

FIG. 16 shows a detailed view of the claimed device with side flanges, in an open position.

FIG. 17 shows a detailed view of the claimed device with side flanges, positioned on the can.

FIG. 18 shows a detailed view of the claimed device with a hinged or articulated joining, open and with a detail of the front flap or lip protector and of the inner transverse protective bar.

According to FIG. 1, the claimed device consists of two parts (1) and (2) which are interconnected to form an assembly and have a double function: they close the beverage outlet and configure a hole or nozzle for drinking this same liquid. These two parts can be positioned on top of one another, being perfectly coupled. The part (1), located in a lower plane, has the shape of a ring, with a flexible perimetral edge and a cavity in its central part and forms and delimits the perimeter or contour of the assembly because it is directly coupled to the liquid outlet whereas the second part of the assembly, located in an upper plane (2), is a laminar body which has precise shape and dimensions to be coupled to the first part (1), serving as a cover and closing the liquid outlet. While the lower part (1) is fixed in its position and serves as a hole, the upper part (2) has enough mobility to move and open or close the liquid outlet orifice. The protuberance (3) defined at its end allows the user to easily handle the cover.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 detail the features of the two parts of the assembly. The lower part (1) is a laminar body made of plastic or the like, with a general prismatic configuration and with the sufficient thickness and with the precise dimension to be perfectly coupled by means of pressure to the liquid outlet. The shape of this lower part is similar to a ring, i.e. with a perimetral edge (11) and a cavity (7) at its center, which corresponds to the liquid outlet of the can, on which it is fitted thanks to a peripheral recess (5) that this ring has in its inner or lower face. The ring (1) is thus fitted in the space comprised between the pull-tab of the can and the rim thereof. At this point, and considering that this ring or lower part serves as a nozzle for drinking and therefore makes contact with the user's lips, it has a clearly anatomical shape (13) leading to a second ring (4) having a smaller diameter and placed forming a right angle with respect to the main body of this part, such that this second ring (4) projects from the can and is supported on the side part of said can. This ring (4) serves as a lip protector. This lower part, as a whole, and seen completely in a horizontal plane, is thus similar to the shape of the number eight-8-, such that the area in which the two loops or rings coincide corresponds to the actual anatomical protuberance or mouthpiece(13) and is the area in which the end of the upper part or cover is supported when it is closed. At the opposite side, the ring (1) has a slight curvature or groove (15) imitating and adapting to the approximate profile of the pull-tab of the can. It is important to indicate that at its upper face, this part (1) incorporates slight protuberances (6) acting as a stop and a guide point (12) serving to facilitate the movement of the upper cover (2).

FIG. 3 describes the features of the upper part (2), having dimensions that are slightly larger than those of the lower part or ring (1) given that its function is to completely cover the hole of the can exposed by the lower ring, serving as a cover. This part (2) or cover is also a laminar body made of plastic or any other material, having on its inner face channels (8) acting as guides allowing a forward and backward movement of the cover (2) itself, which moves covering or uncovering the liquid outlet. This backward movement is blocked by the action of stops (6) existing on the upper face of the ring (1) or lower part, as described previously. The perimetral edge of this cover (2) has a protuberance (3) facilitating its handling.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 detail the positioning of the ring (1) and the cover (2), both from an upper and lower perspective, the figure eight shape of the lower part, with the two rings (1) and (4), and with the perimetral area (11) and the central cavity (7) being perfectly visible, the recess (5) of the lower part of the ring (1) and the anatomical front mouthpiece (13) also being shown. The runners (8) of the upper part or cover (2), as well as its front protuberance (3), are also shown.

FIG. 6 shows the positioning of the device on a beverage can, the cover (2) and the base ring (1) and the second side ring (4) serving as a lip protector being visible. As described, the base ring (1) is coupled to the liquid outlet whereas the cover (2) moves in a horizontal direction for closing or uncovering said outlet, such cover being easy to handle thanks to the front protuberance (3) of its perimeter. The anatomical protuberance (13) of the base ring (1) serving directly as a hole is also defined.

FIG. 7 analyzes in greater detail the positioning of the device in the can, such that the base ring (1) covers the hole, the cover (2) blocks it and the second side ring (4) is supported on the side of the can, acting as lip protector for the user. This same figure clearly shows how the die-cast tab of the can remains therein and does not interfere in the placement and operation of the claimed device. The front protuberance (3) of the cover (2) is also perfectly distinguished.

The base ring (1) and the cover (2) can be integral with one another, forming a single and inseparable body by means of a hinge or articulation system (9) which can be located at any point of the perimeter of the assembly, as shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. In this case, the base ring (1), with the cavity (7) in its central part, coinciding with the liquid outlet of the can, does not have any side projection but maintains its anatomical front mouthpiece (13), its end curvature (15) adapting to a the pull-tab of the can and its lower perimetral recess (5) allowing it to adjust to the hole of the can, whereas the cover (2) still has the perimetral protuberance (3) making it easier to handle and incorporating a rim (14) in this perimeter, which rim projects and is fitted by pressure with the base ring, closing the assembly.

FIG. 12 shows the positioning of the device in the can, the cover (2) being visible. According to the previous description, the hinge or articulation (9) can be located at any part of the perimeter of the device, and can be continuous in a certain segment or in two or more points, spaced from one another, of said perimeter, for the purpose of adapting to the shape of the described parts. FIG. 13 thus shows the positioning of the device when the hinge (9) is located at the end opposite to the pull-tab of the can, such that the cover (2) is supported in a vertical position on the side part of the can. In FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, the cover (2), in an open position, serves as a lip protector for the user.

FIG. 14 shows the opposite case, i.e. the hinge (9), which in this case is formed by two distant joining points, is positioned on the part of the perimeter adjacent to the pull-tab, such that the cover (2), upon moving, is supported on said pull-tab or, if not available or in the absence thereof, on the upper part of the can, adopting a virtually horizontal plane. Both figures clearly show the position of the ring (1), with the end curvature (15) allowing it to adapt to the profile of the pull-tab and the anatomical front protuberance (13) serving as a nozzle for drinking.

FIG. 15, FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 describe the configuration of the claimed device when the two parts forming it—base ring (1) and cover (2)—are located in the same plane and level, i.e. the cover (2) or mobile part is fitted in the central cavity (7) of the base ring (1) which is coupled to the hole of the can. In this case, the cover (2) moves vertically, going from a horizontal position, as shown in FIG. 15, to a vertical position, shown in FIG. 16, such that it is at a right angle with respect to the base ring (1). The horizontal part of the cover (2) projects in two side flanges or wings which are in a lower plane and at right angles in relation to the cover (10), forming as a whole a hole for drinking. FIG. 17 perfectly shows the positioning of this device once it is coupled to the can, which has been previously opened, leaving the liquid outlet free. When the cover (2) is closed, it evidently goes from the vertical position to the original horizontal position, being on the same horizontal plane and level as the ring (1), and at this point the flanges (10) are inside the can, because they coincide with the hole thereof. The base ring (1) incorporates a second fastening pull element or ring which in this case is in a basically horizontal plane and allows easily handling the device.

FIG. 18 shows in detail the configuration of the device once it is open, especially when the upper part (2) and the lower part (1) are joined using a hinge or similar articulation system (9), and the upper part or cover (2) moves towards the pull-tab of the can. In this case, the lower part or base ring (1) has a front projection by way of a perpendicular flap (16) serving as a lip protector and configuring the actual hole. This same figure shows the positioning of the transverse protective bar (17) limiting the opening of the can without preventing the outlet of liquid but acting as a blockage for solid bodies which can involve a risk for the consumer.

Another aspect shown in this FIG. 18 is the central structure (18) located in the lower face of the cover (2) which is coupled to and fitted in the central opening (7) of the lower part (1), thereby forming the closure system of the device.

It is not considered necessary to further extend this description so that any person skilled in the art can understand the scope of the invention and the advantages derived therefrom. The materials, shape, size and arrangement of the elements can be changed, provided that this does not alter the essential features of the invention. The terms of this specification must always be considered in a broad and non-limiting sense. 

1. (canceled) 2.-14. (canceled)
 15. Device for application to a liquid outlet orifice of a beverage can, said can comprising a pull-tab for its opening, the device being formed by a first part (1) and a second part (2) which are coupled to each other, the first part (1) having a ring-shape, with a flexible perimetral edge (11) and a cavity (7) in its central portion, and having at its lower face a peripheral recess (5) which is adjustable by pressure to said orifice, which first part is coupled in a fixed way to the liquid outlet orifice; and the first part (1) having an anatomically-shaped protuberance or nozzle (13) on a first end of said perimetral edge; the second part (2) being a mobile body with respect to the first part (1).
 16. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the first part (1) has a curvature (15) corresponding to a profile of said pull-tab in a second end of said perimetral edge opposite to said first end.
 17. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the first part (1) has, in a second end of said perimetral edge opposite to said first end, a projection or perpendicular flap (16) acting as a lip protector.
 18. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the first part (1) has in a second end of said perimetral edge opposite to said first end a ring-shaped projection (4) which in a position of use of the device is located forming an angle with respect to the first part (1), such that this ring-shaped protection (4) projects from the can and is supported on a side thereof serving as a lip protector.
 19. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the first part (1) has in its upper face protuberances (6, 12) acting as a stop and guide, and in that the second part (2) has channels or guides (8), such that second part (2) is moveable over said first part (1) by means of the coupling between said guides (8) and said protuberances (6, 12).
 20. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the first part (1) and the second part (2) are joined by means of a hinge or articulation system (9), which can be located at any point of the perimeter of the device.
 21. Device according to claim 20, characterized in that the second part (2) has in the perimeter of its inner or lower face a rim (14) projecting and fitting by pressure with the first part (1).
 22. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the first part (1) and the second part (2) are located in the same plane and level, and the second part (2) has two side wings or flanges (10), the second part (2) being encased in the cavity (7) of the first part (1).
 23. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the cavity (7) of the first part (1) includes a transverse protective bar (17).
 24. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the second part (2) incorporates a central structure (18) which is coupled to and fitted in the cavity (7) of the first part (1).
 25. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that it includes an O-ring seal located between the first part (1) and the second part (2). 